Rodan is the first Toho superstar to emerge after Godzilla
and has returned in five sequels following 1956's
Rodan. Just as paleontologists
are trying to link birds with dinosaurs, it appears Godzilla and Rodan have
a link of their own. Both are prehistoric creatures mutated by exposure to
nuclear radiation. Both experienced increases in size, strength, and immunity
to the lethal effects of radioactivity.
In the first Godzilla films chronology, Rodan never evolves beyond a very
limited point. However, Rodan is the only monster ever to face Godzilla point
blank and withstand a blast of his radioactive ray without suffering so much
as a scratch (see
Ghidrah the Three Headed Monster). The new
series of films broke new ground but before treading there, it is necessary
to indulge in a little (Star Trek style) techno-mumbo jumbo. Godzilla's
mutated system possesses what are called Uran pockets which produce uranium
energy. Whenever Godzilla wants to shoot his atomic breath, he exhales forcefully,
pushing the uranium energy from the Uran pockets into his internal atomic
furnace. After super-heating (according to G-Force observations this process
takes 1.26 seconds to complete), the blue hot beam is emitted through Godzilla's
mouth. The glowing of the fins is an external electrical manifestation of
the enormous energy build-up within.
The system employed by Fire Rodan is somewhat different. Once again born
from radiation exposure, Fire Rodan is bigger than the original and a step
up in atomic power. After being hit several times by Godzilla's ray, Rodan
started evolving and even changing color, metamorphosing into Fire Rodan with
the capability of emitting an oral beam of his own. Although similar to Godzilla's,
it is not of the same level because Rodan doesn't possess the atomic furnace
to amplify the heat. Rodan is much simpler: he possesses Uran pockets in
his throat and the whole system is linked with the electricity of his brain,
unlike Godzilla's which is pushed by his lungs. This also explains the electric
bolts that play over Fire Rodan's spines and horns whenever his uranium heat
ray is activated.
Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (1993) gave G-fans one of the most fascinating
events in the entire Godzilla series: the death and resurrection of Godzilla
and Rodan. Although there are legitimate differences of opinion on this matter,
I believe Rodan never intended to land on Godzilla following the fantastic
climax of Godzilla vs Super Mechagodzilla. As Godzilla went down for the count,
Baby G started howling. This woke up Rodan who gathered up all his remaining
strength in order to fly to Baby's rescue. As he is about to pass over Godzilla,
Rodan is shot down by Super MG and falls onto the big reptile's lifeless
body. Then his horns start to glow which indicates he is trying once again
to rise by drawing on his last reserve of power.
Having been blasted at close range by Mechagodzilla's Plasma Grenade, Rodan
surfered injuries so severe his body is incapable of containing the flow ofuranium
energy. It starts running wild and quickly begins dis- solving its source.
As Rodan disintegrates into a radioactive mist, some of it penetrates Godzil1a's
body, refiring the atomic furnace which is stoked by uranium energy. As the
flow of energy runs into Godzilla's body, the G-cells' fantastic regenerative
property is reactivated, starting with his destroyed sec- ondarybrain. Inamatterofseconds,
Godzilla is completely re-energized, even powered-up by this additional mass
of nuclear energy .He rises more powerful than before: Super Godzilla vs Super
Mechagodzilla.
From a completely different point of view, G vs MG is one of Toho's best
allegories; rarely has the message of Life vs Machine been delivered
in such a flamboyant manner. Throughout the film the message is clear: nature
is the stronger and will always find a way to survive man's worst. As the
numerous battles demonstrate, one-on-one each living monster defeats his artificial
counterpart.
- Godzilla beats Mechagodzilla (Suzuka Mountains battle).
- Rodan defeats his metal counter- part Garuda in their air battle over
Makuhari.
- Godzilla is fina1ly overcome by the combined might of the MG and Garuda,
but Super MG is ultimately defeated by the equivalent team-up of living creatures.
This is a strange and unusual climax as humanity is defeated by nature's
greatest beast of the past. Perhaps mankind deserved to lose for the monsters'
intentions all throughout the story were only to save Baby G from man's so-called
civilized world.
